Elder Law Newsletter - August 2018 Legal Update

08.15.2018

Chambliss Elder Law Newsletter is a bi-monthly e-newsletter of legal developments and other trends of vital interest to seniors and their advocates. This newsletter is brought to you by Peter Harrison and other members of the Elder Law Practice Group of Chambliss Law Firm.

So you've finally done it – after working hard your entire life, you have successfully built up a nest egg and entered those golden years of retirement. You spend your days focused on grandchildren, gardening, and golf, simply enjoying each day with the confidence that your finances are in order. And then one day you respond to an email from the proverbial "Nigerian Prince" and everything changes.

Sadly, according to the National Council on Aging, "financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that they're now considered the crime of the 21st century."1 Indeed, a quick online search reveals countless horror stories of elders being taken advantage of, in some cases to financial ruin. Elders have become identified as "easy targets" for scammers for a variety of reasons, including an ingrained inclination to be trusting of others, low social support, and the cognitive and physical impairment associated with aging, as well as the increased likelihood that a senior will have accumulated some degree of wealth. The following list identifies some of the common scams that elders should be on the lookout for. [Click to read the full article.]

The federal government has begun mailing new Medicare cards to 59 million Americans. You should keep track of when your new card will arrive and contact Medicare if you don't receive it. Read more ->

Promissory Notes and Medicaid

Medicare is mandated to cover your home health benefits with no limit on the time you are covered. Unfortunately, few Medicare beneficiaries get the full level of service to which they are entitled. Read more ->

Proposed New Medicare Payment System May Affect Beneficiaries

Medicare is proposing a new flat rate reimbursement system for doctors who treat Medicare patients. Some worry that the plan may cause fewer doctors to accept Medicare. Read more ->